The production value of Taiwan's IC design industry is expected to increase 6.7% sequentially in the second quarter of 2016, thanks to a pick-up in handset demand, according to Digitimes Research.
Demand in China's smartphone market is picking up, and device vendors have started to replenish inventory since March, Digitimes Research indicated.
Combined revenues of Taiwan-based IC design houses are forecast to reach NT$142.58 billion (US$4.35 billion) in the second quarter, rising 14.6% from the same period in 2015, Digitimes Research said.
The production value of Taiwan's IC design industry totaled NT$133.65 billion in the first quarter of 2016, down 8% sequentially. In March alone, combined revenues of Taiwan's IC design firms reached NT$50 billion representing a robust 44.5% increase on month, Digitimes Research noted.
Taiwan's IC design sector is estimated to have already hit bottom for 2016 in the first quarter, and is expected to continue its sequential growth in production value through the third quarter, Digitimes Research said.
